Integrated lance and strip for analyte measurement

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to lancing elements for use in drawing bodily fluids out of a patient and, more particularly, to an improved lancing element including first and second elements positioned relative to each other such that an incision formed by the first element is held open by the second element and bodily fluids are pulled up the lancing element by surface tension on the first and second lancing elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 460,030 filed Jun. 11, 2003 now abandoned, which is incorporated herein by reference.[0002]This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60 / 458,242 filed Mar. 28, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates, in general, to lancing elements for use in drawing bodily fluids out of a patient and, more particularly, to an improved lancing element including first and second elements positioned relative to each other such that an incision formed by the first element is held open by the second element and bodily fluids are pulled up the lancing element by surface tension on the first and second lancing elements.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Integrated skin lancing and bodily fluid analysis samplers are known in the art. One such system is described an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]A lance according to the present invention includes a lancing element having a first sharpened end point, a separation element having a second sharpened end point wherein the second sharpened end point is positioned proximal to the first sharpened end point, a connector connecting a proximal portion of the first lancing element to a proximal portion of the separation element, the connector forming a channel. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the separation element is positioned at an angle to the lancing element. In a further embodiment of the present invention the lancing element, the separation element and the channel are formed from a single sheet of metal. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a space between the lancing element and the separation element forms a gap, the gap increasing in size proximal to the second sharpened tip. In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the channel is treated with a hydrophilic surface coating. In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the lancing element and at least a portion of the separation element are coated with a hydrophilic surface coating. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a proximal end of the channel is integrated into a sensor strip. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the sensor strip is connected at a proximal end thereof to a plurality of additional sensor strips

Problems solved by technology

However, such solid needles generally rely on the size of the incision to ensure that enough bodily fluids are expressed and are not used to facilitate the flow of fluids to the testing apparatus.

Images